Argentine football club San Lorenzo paid a touching tribute to their most famous supporter, Pope Francis, during a home match in the national league on Saturday. The pope, who passed away last Monday at the age of 88, was laid to rest in Rome earlier that day.
In his honor, San Lorenzo players wore commemorative patches on their jerseys, featuring an image of Jorge Mario Bergoglio smiling in his papal attire, along with the words “Together for Eternity.” Despite the emotional atmosphere, visiting team Rosario Central claimed a 1-0 victory with a goal in stoppage time.
Before kickoff, children from a program inspired by Pope Francis joined San Lorenzo’s youth squad for a parade at the Nuevo Gasómetro Stadium. The stands were alive with a blend of the club’s iconic blue and red colors and the yellow and white of the Vatican flag, displayed through smoke, ribbons, and flags—many of which bore the Pope’s image.
Fans rose to their feet in a standing ovation to honor Francis just hours after his burial. The stadium, located in the Bajo Flores neighborhood of Buenos Aires, lies near the pope’s birthplace. He held the distinction of being San Lorenzo’s 88,235th registered member.
Founded by Catholic priest Lorenzo Massa, San Lorenzo has deep religious roots. The club is planning a return to its original namesake neighborhood, where a new stadium is being constructed—and it will proudly bear the name “Pope Francis.”
